Baseball America's Top 10 Prospects lists are based on projections of a player's long-term worth after discussions with scouting and player-development personnel. All players who haven't exceeded the major league rookie standards of 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched (without regard to service time) are eligible. Ages are as of April 1, 2011.

Though Jose Reyes became the first Mets player in the franchise's 50 seasons to win the National League batting title, New York still finished in fourth place in the NL East at 77-85. Reyes turned in a career year, batting .337/.384/.493 with 39 stolen bases, and entered free agency at the peak of his ability.

Losing Reyes to another club would blunt the Mets' offensive attack, certainly, but the 2011 club quietly had the most productive of its three seasons at cavernous Citi Field. New York finished second in on-base percentage (.335) and sixth in the NL in scoring, actually totaling five more runs than the division-champion Phillies despite spotting Philadelphia a 45-homer advantage. The Mets certainly would have scored even more runs had injuries not cost Reyes (hamstring) a month, Daniel Murphy (knee) and David Wright (back) two months each and Ike Davis (ankle) all but 36 games.

New York faces the likely departure of Reyes, and barring the import of an impact position player, it will have to rely on the talent already at hand because the upper levels of the system are light on blue-chip hitting talent. On the positive side, Lucas Duda's .852 OPS led all major league rookies with 300 plate appearances, while Ruben Tejeda and Josh Thole played well in the second half of their sophomore seasons.

The pitching side of the equation, however, is much more complicated because Citi Field masks the staff's deficiencies. During the three years of the park's existence, the Mets have compiled a 3.65 ERA at home compared to 4.60 on the road. New York's 4.19 ERA ranked 13th in the NL in 2011, sinking any hopes the club had to contend.

The organization may be able to address its pitching woes from within because its top prospects are righthanders Zack Wheeler and Matt Harvey, the sixth (2009) and seventh (2010) overall picks in their respective drafts. Both enjoyed strong seasons in high Class A—Harvey actually spent the second half in Double-A—and both used power fastball/breaking ball repertoires to strike out more than 10 batters per nine innings.

Righthanders Jeurys Familia, Jenrry Mejia and Michael Fulmer also can bring heat in the mid-90s, though Mejia had Tommy John surgery last May and will miss the start of the 2012 season. The system hasn't had multiple power arms like this since the days of Paul Wilson, Bill Pulsipher and Jason Isringhausen in the mid-1990s.

First-year general manager Sandy Alderson emphasized the future over the present in the trades that sent Carlos Beltran to the Giants (for Wheeler) and Francisco Rodriguez to the Brewers (for Danny Ray Herrera and Class A righty Adrian Rosario). In the two July deals, New York swallowed approximately $9 million of the $15 million owed Beltran and Rodriguez for the remainder of 2011 in order to improve the club's outlook for 2012 and beyond.

New York also took a more progressive approach in the draft after years of conservative selections. It spent $6.8 million on bonuses after shelling out a combined $7.8 million in the previous two drafts. In their first draft under scouting director Chad MacDonald, the Mets exceeded MLB's bonus recommendations for 11 of its signees, including their top two picks (outfielder Brandon Nimmo and Fulmer) and late-rounders Phillip Evans and Bradley Marquez.

Background: The Mets acquired Wheeler from the offense-starved Giants in a straight-up trade for Carlos Beltran on July 27. "We were looking for big upside," said first-year general manager Sandy Alderson, who eschewed offers of two or three players from other clubs because he favored quality over quantity. Wheeler delivered on that front in 2011, ranking as the high Class A California League's No. 4 prospect with San Jose prior to the trade and then running up a 31-to-5 strikeout-to-walk ratio for high Class A St. Lucie afterward. The sixth overall pick in the 2009 draft, Wheeler signed with for $3.3 million, which still stands as the largest bonus San Francisco has paid an amateur pitcher. That's saying something for an organization that also drafted Matt Cain (2002), Tim Lincecum ('06) and Madison Bumgarner ('07) in the first round. Wheeler turned in a fully healthy season in 2011 after a persistent cracked-fingernail issue limited him to just 59 innings during his 2010 pro debut. He struck out 10.1 batters per nine innings in 2011, pairing with righthander Matt Harvey (10.3) to give the Mets two of the 24 minor league ERA qualifiers who cracked double digits—and righty Jeurys Familia (9.6) just missed giving the organization three such power pitchers. All three will pitch at Double-A or higher in 2012.

Scouting Report: Wheeler hit 97 mph with his first pitch for St. Lucie and consistently pitched at 93-95 for the Mets. He has a loose, easy arm action and throws from a high three-quarters arm slot. He complements his plus fastball with a mid- to high-70s downer curveball that buckles knees and helps him neutralize righthanders. They hit a mere .199 (53-for-267) and slugged .292 (with three home runs) against him between his two high Class A stops. He has a decent mid-80s changeup that sinks and fades, but improved arm action would help him sell the pitch more effectively. He also unveiled a mid- to high-80s cutter/slider as a potential weapon to get inside against lefties, who batted .283 and slugged .452 against him. Wheeler did a better job locating the ball down in the zone in 2011, though like many young power pitchers his overall command needs sharpening, and it could stand in the way of him reaching frontline starter potential. On the other hand, his control improved dramatically after he reverted to his high school pitching mechanics in July, reinstituting a higher leg kick and bringing his hands to a higher position before breaking them. From July 16 to the end of the season he walked just seven batters in 38 innings (1.7 per nine), compared to 45 walks in 77 innings (5.3) beforehand.

The Future: At the time of his trade, Wheeler's command wasn't as advanced as other recent Giants first-round prep pitchers such as Cain or Bumgarner. But his raw stuff—plus-plus fastball, plus curve, chance for an average changeup and/or cutter—gives him No. 2 starter potential when paired with just average command. Still just 22, Wheeler will head to Double-A Binghamton to begin 2012 and could finish the year in Triple-A Buffalo. Expect to see him in Queens at some point in 2013.

Yr

Team

W

L

ERA

G

GS

SV

IP

H

R

ER

HR

BB

SO

AVG

'10

Augusta (LoA)

3

3

3.99

21

13

0

59

47

27

26

0

38

70

.211

'11

San Jose (HiA)

7

5

3.99

16

16

0

88

74

44

39

7

47

98

.219

'11

St. Lucie (HiA)

2

2

2.00

6

6

0

27

26

6

6

0

5

31

.243

Minor League Totals

12

10

3.67

43

35

0

174

147

147

71

7

90

199

.220

2.

Matt Harvey, RHP

Born: Mar 27, 1989

B-T: R-R

Ht.: 6-4 Wt.: 210

Drafted: North Carolina, 2010 (1st round). Signed by: Marlin McPhail.

Background: Harvey signed for $2.525 million as the 2010 draft's seventh overall pick. He began his pro career in style by leading the high Class A Florida State League with 92 strikeouts through June 20, his last start before earning a promotion to Double-A. He overcame a rough beginning at Binghamton to go 5-1, 3.26 over his final nine starts while notching a 50-to-19 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 47 innings.

Scouting Report: Harvey dominated high Class A hitters with a 92-94 mph fastball that clocks as high as 98. He locates his fastball to both sides of the plate and with good life down in the zone. His two-seamer runs in on the hands of righthanders. His No. 2 pitch is a plus 81-84 mph slider, and he also likes to throw a 12-to-6 curveball to catch opponents off guard. He got by without a changeup in the FSL but began throwing one in earnest in Double-A. His changeup features late fade but remains a bit firm in the mid-80s.

The Future: Harvey holds his velocity deep into starts but has below-average command and presently lacks a reliable changeup, so evaluators project him as anywhere from a No. 2 starter to a high-leverage reliever. How he addresses those concerns as he pitches in Triple-A in 2012 will determine where he fits best.

Background: The 13th overall pick in June, Nimmo made history as the only first-round pick ever from the state of Wyoming, which has no high school baseball. He signed for $2.1 million at the Aug. 15 deadline and logged 10 games in Rookie ball, connecting for his first two pro home runs in late August.

Scouting Report: Nimmo starred in football and also was an accomplished sprinter in high school, but his baseball skills aren't as raw as his background suggests. He has an advanced feel for the strike zone and the quick, compact lefthanded swing to become a plus hitter. The Mets believe he'll add strength to his physical frame and grow into at least solid power, but they're content to let that develop naturally. His swing doesn't have natural loft or pull, and they won't change him. Nimmo tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee while playing football, but he's still a plus runner. His long strides enable him to cover lots of ground in center field, where he's an average defender with a decent arm.

The Future: New York believes Nimmo's outstanding makeup will allow him to maximize his raw tools. It could also mean he's ready for an assignment to low Class A Savannah to begin 2012.

Background: Familia earned Mets minor league pitcher of the year honors in a breakout 2009 and then represented the franchise at the 2010 Futures Game, even though his performance that season (5.58 ERA, 1.58 WHIP) seemed incongruous with the honor. He began rounding into form late in 2010 and then dominated the Florida State League for six starts in 2011 before earning a bump to Double-A, where he pitched well before and after missing a month with shoulder tendinitis.

Scouting Report: Familia touches 99 mph with his fastball and pitches comfortably at 92-96 mph with natural cutting action down in the zone. Familia stands taller in his delivery now and has eliminated a crouch that caused his arm path to swing away from his body in 2010. He now generates more plane on his pitches, including a mid-80s breaking ball that features inconsistent spin but flashes average three-quarters break. His fringy changeup features some sinking action and works well enough to keep batters off his fastball.

The Future: Below-average control might ultimately limit Familia's upside to mid-rotation starter or power reliever, but he could be just half a season away from a callup. He'll open 2012 in Triple-A.

Background: Puello continues to impress scouts and minor league managers with his broad range of tools and his physicality. During his two years of full-season ball, he has shown marked improvement in the second half. In 2011, he hit .230/.289/.337 for St. Lucie through June 15 and then .294/.344/.474 with six homers in 194 at-bats afterward.

Scouting Report: The ball jumps off Puello's bat to all fields, and his plus strength and bat speed could translate into 20 homers annually down the road. He hit a career-high 10 homers in 2011 after going deep only once the year before. His last six bombs went to left field, indicating that he has learned to turn on the ball. Puello still gets himself out too much because he struggles to recognize breaking balls, but scouts believe he can clean up his plate discipline enough to hit about .275. Puello has solid speed but got caught nine times in 28 steal attempts in 2011. He has seen time in center field and takes good routes, but most observers prefer him in right field. He has a strong, accurate arm.

The Future: If he can learn to lay off pitches he can't drive, Puello can become a first-division regular in right field. His youth and strong work ethic will work in his favor when he tackles Double-A at age 21.

Background: When Mejia made New York's 2010 Opening Day roster, he was the youngest player in the big leagues at age 20. He only saw sporadic work out of the bullpen and eventually pitched his way back to Double-A, where he dominated minor league batters in between disabled list stints. Mejia began 2011 in the Buffalo rotation but succumbed to Tommy John surgery in May after just five starts.

Scouting Report: Despite a smallish build, Mejia featured plus-plus velocity at 94-96 mph and the best fastball life in the system prior to his elbow injury. With natural cutting action, his fastball induces plenty of weak contact. Mejia also threw a firm changeup in the mid-80s that behaved like a splitter and gave him a second plus offering. His high-70s curveball needed refinement but showed signs of becoming an above-average pitch as well. Mejia's command suffers from an inconsistent release point, an issue exacerbated by all the missed time. He's totaled just 203 innings in the last three years as a result of injuries, including finger (2009) and shoulder (2010) strains.

The Future: Mejia could get back on a mound at some point during spring training and return to game action in May or June. Assuming a full recovery, his ceiling remains unchanged: No. 2 starter or late-inning reliever.

Background: A torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder rendered Nieuwenhuis unable to swing a bat after June 9, so he had season-ending surgery in July to remedy the issue. Prior to the injury, the former NAIA standout had enhanced his power production and walk rate in Triple-A, where he had posted career highs in on-base percentage (.403) and slugging (.505) as Buffalo's primary No. 3 hitter.

Scouting Report: Nieuwenhuis has no carrying tool, but he also has no glaring weakness. He rips line drives to all fields and possesses solid bat speed, but his elevated strikeout rate and trouble with lefthanders limit his offensive potential. Nieuwenhuis might top out near .275 with 12-15 homers at his best, though his strong batting eye ought to translate to a good OBP. He makes all the routine plays in center field, though fringe-average speed probably limits him to a corner long term, particularly in spacious Citi Field. He has the average arm strength to handle all three spots.

The Future: Nieuwenhuis may lack the range to play center every day and the power to hold down a corner spot in the big leagues, but he profiles as a near-perfect fourth outfielder. He may need time to recover from his shoulder surgery before picking up where he left off with Buffalo.

Background: The state of Oklahoma boasted its best-ever crop of high school pitching talent in 2011, so Fulmer took a back seat to Dylan Bundy and Archie Bradley, the fourth and seventh overall picks in the draft. Fulmer went 44th overall and signed for an above-slot $937,500 in late July before logging four appearances in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League.

Scouting Report: People who have watched Fulmer pitch often use the word "aggressive" to describe him. He attacks the opposition with 92-97 mph heat that explodes through the zone. He imparts natural tailing action on his fastball, making him difficult to square up. He added about 5 mph to his fastball as a senior, and his slider followed suit, jumping to 83-85 mph. It's a swing-and-miss pitch to lefties and righties alike because of its depth and power. Fulmer dominated with just a fastball and breaking ball in high school and has no usable changeup at this stage. At 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, he has little physical projection remaining and could benefit from tightening his physique.

The Future: Fulmer will work to enhance his changeup and feel for pitching in 2012, perhaps at short-season Brooklyn following extended spring training. He has the upside of a No. 2 starter but will need time and patience to get there.

Yr

Team

W

L

ERA

G

GS

SV

IP

H

R

ER

HR

BB

SO

AVG

'11

Mets (R)

0

1

10.13

4

3

0

5

9

7

6

0

4

10

.360

Minor League Totals

0

1

10.80

4

3

0

5

9

9

6

0

4

10

.375

9.

Reese Havens, 2B

Born: Oct 20, 1986

B-T: L-R

Ht.: 6-1 Wt.: 195

Drafted: South Carolina, 2008 (1st round). Signed by: Marlin McPhail.

Background: Taken four picks after Ike Davis in the first round of the 2008 draft, Havens has yet to play a full season since signing for $1.419 million. He missed all but 32 games in 2010 because a protruding rib irritated his oblique area. He had surgery to shave the rib last offseason, but that procedure kept him out until late May. He also dealt with back trouble and played in just 61 games in 2011.

Scouting Report: Havens has performed whenever healthy, batting .301/.379/.505 with 12 homers in 279 Double-A at-bats the last two seasons. He swings through pitches at times but makes enough line-drive contact to hit .280 in the big leagues. He drives balls to the middle of the field, which may cap his home runs at 15 annually but ought to produce plenty of doubles. Havens played shortstop until 2010 before shifting seamlessly to second base, where his average range and arm make him a steady defender. He's a below-average runner.

The Future: Scratched from an Arizona Fall League assignment, Havens returned home to begin his conditioning program. The Mets have no long-term second baseman standing in his way—Ruben Tejada profiles best at shortstop and Justin Turner as a utility player—so a full season in Triple-A ought to earn Havens a look in Queens.

Background: Signed for $750,000 in 2007, Flores already has played 459 games in the United States, most of them as a teenager. (He turned 20 in August.) The Florida State League's youngest regular in 2010 and second-youngest in 2011, he saw his OPS drop from .739 to .689 in his second stint with St. Lucie, though his contact skills remained intact.

Scouting Report: Flores stays inside the ball well and uses the whole field, but he almost makes too much contact for his own good. He won't fully tap into his offensive potential unless he learns to recognize and lay off pitches he can't drive. His natural power stroke carries the ball to center and right-center, which has suppressed his home run totals thus far. As he fills out his lean frame he could develop 20-homer power, which would be special at shortstop—but scouts give Flores no chance to stay up the middle. He's a well below-average runner with heavy feet and substandard range. He reads balls well off the bat and has an average arm, which could keep him on an infield corner.

The Future: Flores played third base this offseason in the Venezuelan League, which is a more natural fit for his skills. His power production must take a giant step forward for his bat to profile there, however. He should reach Double-A in 2012 before he turns 21.